New blood to kick off Jillaroos’ Cup campaign
THE World Cup in 2021 may be three years away but the Jillaroos’ Test on Saturday against New Zealand is the start of their campaign to retain the trophy.
The Australian women’s squad features six new players who impressed during the NRLW competition.
The four-week elite league allowed coach Brad Donald a chance to see a raft of young talent playing against the best Australia and New Zealand have to offer.
The Test backing on to the season means a next generation of players can gain crucial international experience well out from the next Cup in England.
“It’s a really great mix of experience and new girls,” said new Jillaroos captain Sam Bremner.
“This (Test) will definitely be the first stepping stone that we’ve taken towards retaining the World Cup in three years’ time … it’s all going to start on this campaign.
“That there’s so many new girls and so much competition is just so good for the game.”
All players named in the 18person squad played in NRLW, having them at peak condition for the Test match for the first time ever.
Five weeks of pre-season, plus the three to four-week competition itself, helped players develop combinations and secure fitness levels.
But they’ll face a Kiwi Ferns side in the same state, with the Warriors and Brisbane teams boasting New Zealand talent.
It has the makings of the best Test ever between the two nations.
“I know the Kiwis have a really good side as well and the interesting thing is a lot of the time we play each other out of season, either at the start of the year or the very end of the year, so we didn’t really have that match fitness under our belt,” Bremner said.
“Now both teams are coming off the back of NRLW and the majority of the girls will have a lot of match fitness.
“It’s going to be a really interesting contest, having played so much football leading into it. All those combinations being played together over the last few weeks is going to make a great game of football.”